Bird Day

We just keep on eating turkey. I brined and Webered an eleven pound bird this year.

We got out my mother's California Ivy plates for the occasion. Anton and Thor had seconds and thirds.

All in all it was a nice evening with the Owens and Chureis joining us at our Izu house.

It was a long time since I saw Ken Lucas

Ken hired me to help him get James Capel going back in 1985. He retired a few years later and took his secretary to Perth to start and raise a family. I finally had a chance to see him and Yuko when I went to Perth to speak at the ASFA conference in November 2006. He had me over for dinner and we celebrated from his wine cellar with a sparkling Shiraz, an 18% Cab, a fairly dry Aussie Reisling and one of the local ports. Yuko had prepared several dishes of the local seafood specialities. Thanks for dinner, Yuko and Ken!

Swan Valley!

After the ASFA Conference I had a day tasting wine in the Swan Valley. Had a good day with these Aussie lads.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Anton and Thor joined me for lunch on my birthday. Naomi was selling cushions at ISSH so couldn't join us. We finally made it to Antonios on Roppongi Dori. I had suggested going there for Anton's birthday last month, but he preferred Mexican, so we went to La Jolla in Hiro Shoten Gai.

Antonios is still a great Italian restaurant in Tokyo. The clam chowder was the best I have had! Anytime, anywhere! No kidding! Lots of clams and some big Iwate oysters to boot. Yum.......

That evening I flew to Australia. On the road again, she sang.